Oxfam Gb Tender

Request for Proposal for Women’s Dress Codes and Gender Based Violence Narratives on Challenges and Agency from the MENA Region. Women dress codes are part of social norms that are monitored by other members of the community including women. Generally, women are made aware of their bodies and that they need to conform to clothing standards that their male counterparts find unprovocative at a very early age (Wah, 2016; and Jaymie, 2017)[4]. A Perception survey by Muzaffar and his team (2020) confirms that women’s clothes are considered a factor when males commit a sexual assault according to Indian university students [5]. Another study by Burn (2009) concluded that authorities place greater responsibility on women victims of sexual assaults if their clothing were seen as provocative[6]. Furthermore, social norms and perceptions may attribute some personality treats to women based on their dress codes and appearances. In a 2018 study by Gurung and his team found that women who wear less revealing clothes were described as more intelligent, more responsible, and more competent than the same women wearing revealing clothes [7]. Women who do not meet the expectations or social norms of clothing can be punished or disciplined or blamed for the violence they face (Brower, 2013)[8]. The norms around dress codes practiced in public spheres might as well serve as proxies for discrimination based on race, gender, or any other background [9] (McKay-Panos, 2004) In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), violence against women is estimated at 37% of women in comparison to the global rate of 30% (UN Women 2020). One type of violence is associated with what women should or shouldn’t wear. Women dress codes are highly politicized issue in the MENA region with contradictory discourses There are multiple forms of patriarchal violence and discrimination against women based on their choices of clothes in the MENA region. For instance, Egyptian women were prevented from accessing public recreational facilities because they do not wear swimming suits and instead wear Islamic Burkinis that cover the entire body and head. This debate reached courts[10] and there are deliberations whether it is constitutional or not to deny these women access to pools and some beaches. Furthermore, men are expected to correct and control women dressing codes.The purpose of commissioning this research project is to contribute to understanding of the different forms of violence and discrimination faced by girls and women in the MENA region and thus to better inform and guide Oxfam’s advocacy activities in the region. OXFAM ,UNITED NATIONS ENTITY FOR GENDER EQUALITY AND THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN,